We are a kind and benificent species, and you will find that most fellow humans will be happy to help you solve your problems to the extent they can.

However, benificence does not come with the ability to read minds. Don't expect your potential benefactor to wave a magic wand over you and elicit instant enlightenment. Requests for help that begin and end with "I'm sooooooo confused!" are likely to elicit nothing more than "I'm so sorry to hear that" and nothing more.

The point is, they're your problems, not your benefactor's. It's your mind that is having difficulty wrapping itself around them. And it's your responsibility to figure out what help you need.

Successful consultations will begin with your setting forth the problem you're confronting, the steps you have taken to overcome it, and what you feel you need to make further progress. You're responsible for the success of the consultation. If you don't get any help, generally the blame is on you for not finding the right person to ask or not making clear precisely what you need.

Here are some steps to create a request for help that might be effectively answered:

1. General frame
   Describe the overall area in which your problem lies. Don't rely on me to remember anything.
    
2. Specific frame
   Describe the part of the overall area that is giving you problems. Again, don't rely on me to remember anything.
    
3. Specific example
   Describe at least one instance of what you actually did that caused you to believe you have a problem. Explain how the result you got is deficient.
    
4. Attempts to resolve the problem
   Describe different ways you attempted to overcome the problem.
    
5. Rant (optional)
   Here's your chance to vent, but be specific. Exactly what is causing your frustration?
    
6. Specific request
   Tell me in specific terms what you hope I can do for you.